Lend a hand, or a can


Students should do all they can to help the Mount Pleasant Red Cross.

Last week, officials predicted the Red Cross’ food pantry will be out of supplies by the end of the month unless donations start coming in.

Students, staff and the university community cannot let this happen.

The Red Cross serves about 200 people in the city, giving out 7,178 items from its food pantry each month.

There’s only 4,039 items to hand out to those in need this month.

A can of food usually costs no more than $1, and some cans can go for 30 cents or less.

The average student probably spends five times that amount per meal on a day-to-day basis.

This is the time for CMU students to step up and support the community where they live.

Why it matters

The Mount Pleasant Red Cross is experiencing a shortage of food

Several groups on campus already have joined the cause, so finding an outlet shouldn’t make that hard for students.

UAW local 6888, a union for on-campus office professionals, is collecting monetary donations, nonperishable foods, paper products, baby items and personal hygiene items until Oct. 26.

Students can drop off their items from 8 a.m. to noon and

1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, in Moore 340.

The Volunteer Canter is accepting donations, and the Student Government Association has been promoting the food drives. Many residence halls are hosting events and contests to raise money.

Students also can drop off food from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday directly to the Red Cross’ food pantry, 215 E. Broadway St.

As of last week, the Volunteer Center hadn’t received any donations.

It should be easy to turn this around during the next few weeks.

If every student donates one can of food to the Red Cross, it’ll add up to about 28,000 cans. And even if only half of the students donate an item, the pantry should be able to operate easily for the nest few months.

Donations to the cause can’t stop at the end of October, however.

Students need to continue to give to the Red Cross throughout the year.

It doesn’t require a set commitment or a lot of money.

All it takes is one can of food.

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